The Bianchi-Herrera decision is important because the pick will be the only backup infielder who can play shortstop. Bianchi can play anywhere on the infield proficiently and can man left field in a pinch, is out of options, and has had a big spring. Herrera is a switch-hitter who can play anywhere on the infield and is more versatile than Bianchi in the outfield, but has one Minor League option remaining.

The bullpen decision may have already been made, though manager Ron Roenicke was not ready to make it public Sunday, when Thornburg, Duke and Wooten finished the Brewers' win over the Reds.

If the Brewers send Thornburg to Triple-A Nashville to be a starter, and opt to make a long-term investment in Wang, a Rule 5 pick from the Pirates who must make the team or be offered back to Pittsburgh, they would open the season with three left-handed relievers in a seven-man bullpen. Roenicke does not view that as a problem.

"If we kept all three lefties, [only] one would be a specialist," he said, referring to Duke.

The Brewers must make a decision on Duke by 11 a.m. CT on Tuesday, the deadline for teams to inform an Article XX(B) free agent -- those whose Major League contract expired last fall and signed a Minor League contract for 2014 -- whether he will make the Opening Day roster. If the player does not make the cut, the team must either release the player or pay a $100,000 bonus to send him to the Minors. A player who accepts the assignment -- which Duke indicated he would do -- gets a June 1 opt-out added to his contract.